Chris McColgen loves his work at Siemens.
By Shaun Inguanzo
CHRIS McColgen pondered computer networking and a job in the media before settling into his new-found passion as a fitter and machinist for Siemens.
The 22-year-old, fresh out of school, saw the world as his oyster.
And he may well have found his pearl.
Mr McColgen will graduate with qualifications in engineering after first joining LINK three years ago.
The Dromana resident had stumbled across a job at Hillview Quarry but later discovered it was not for him.
His thirst for knowledge and learning led Mr McColgen to work for Siemens as a fitter and machinist, maintaining equipment at South East Water’s sewage treatment plant in Mount Martha.
“I love it here,” he told Star.
“In the past, I have worked at the quarry, I’ve worked at Retravision, and I’ve worked at Safeway, but out of all jobs I love this one the most.
“I have been here for four years and haven’t thought about looking anywhere else.”
Mr McColgen said his job was often challenging, requiring him to carry out works to sewage pipes in residential areas, and dealing face-to-face with the public.
“It’s different to a factory job, I am out and about and the public sees me,” he said.
“I have done a traffic management course to make sure if we block off a road or footpath then there is an alternate route.
“We deal with the public, as sometimes they will be looking in to a hole where we are working and we have to tell them politely to step back.”
Mr McColgen said he was flattered by the nomination for LINK’s Apprentice/ Trainee of the Year.
He said he did not expect that going to work each day – and enjoying it – would earn him the honour.
